- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,144,699
- Reaction score
- 59
One of the biggest stories for the host nation Italy at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games has been the amazing comeback story for alpine skier Federica Brignone. Many thought she would not be healthy enough to compete on the Italian slopes this month.
Brignone is not just a competitor at the Winter Olympic Games at the moment, but a dominant one. She has come away with two individual gold medals with victories in the women’s giant slalom and women’s super giant slalom.
Feb 15, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Gold medalist Federica Brignone of Italy celebrates on the podium after winning the women’s alpine skiing giant slalom during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Before Sunday no skier had ever won the women’s super giant slalom and women’s giant slalom at the same Olympic Winter Games.
It has been accomplished twice on the men’s side. Markus Wasmeier of Germany won the giant slalom and super giant slalom at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, and Herman Maier won these same two alpine skiing events at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano.
The reason why this accomplishment is noteworthy is because of the differences between a giant slalom race and super giant slalom race. The giant slalom race is a lot more technical, while the super giant slalom is associated with downhill more, and is a speed race.
Brignone tore her anterior cruciate ligament during a giant slalom race at the Italian National Alpine Skiing Championships in Val di Fissa, Italy on April 3.
Initially, Brignone was diagnosed with a broken tibia and broken fibula. During the operation, it was determined that Brignone had also ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament according to Lena Smirnova of the International Olympic Committee.
Brignone’s crash in Italy came 10 months prior to Lindsey Vonn’s spectacular crash in Italy in the women’s downhill to begin the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Brignone’s super giant slalom win on Thursday came with a time of 1:23.41. She beat her nearest opponent, silver medalist Romane Miradoli of France by 0.41 seconds.
Then on Saturday in the giant slalom, Brignone beat silver medalists Sara Hector of Sweden and Thea Louise Stjernesund of Norway, by 0.62 seconds. Brignone’s winning time was 2:13.50.
Feb 12, 2026; Milan, Italy; Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy reacts in the women’s speedskating 5000m competition during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The host nation now has eight gold medals. There is another Italian woman with two individual gold medals. That is Francesca Lollobrigida, who won gold in the women’s 3000 metres and women’s 5000 metres.
OLYMPICS: 2026 Winter Olympics medal count, standings entering February 15
DAYTONA 500: 2026 Daytona 500 starting lineup & TV schedule
NFL: Tennessee Titans’ new logo leaked in Fanatics mishap?
NBA: Mac McClung shares 2026 NBA Slam Dunk arsenal fans were robbed of
GOLF: 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am tee times, Round 4 groupings for Sunday
VIRAL: 2026 Winter Olympics star compares muscles with NFL running back Saquon Barkley
The post Federica Brignone comes back from torn ACL to win two Olympic gold medals appeared first on The Big Lead.
Continue reading...
Brignone is not just a competitor at the Winter Olympic Games at the moment, but a dominant one. She has come away with two individual gold medals with victories in the women’s giant slalom and women’s super giant slalom.
Brignone makes Olympic history
You must be registered for see images attach
Feb 15, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Gold medalist Federica Brignone of Italy celebrates on the podium after winning the women’s alpine skiing giant slalom during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Before Sunday no skier had ever won the women’s super giant slalom and women’s giant slalom at the same Olympic Winter Games.
It has been accomplished twice on the men’s side. Markus Wasmeier of Germany won the giant slalom and super giant slalom at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, and Herman Maier won these same two alpine skiing events at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano.
The reason why this accomplishment is noteworthy is because of the differences between a giant slalom race and super giant slalom race. The giant slalom race is a lot more technical, while the super giant slalom is associated with downhill more, and is a speed race.
How did Brignone get hurt?
Brignone tore her anterior cruciate ligament during a giant slalom race at the Italian National Alpine Skiing Championships in Val di Fissa, Italy on April 3.
Initially, Brignone was diagnosed with a broken tibia and broken fibula. During the operation, it was determined that Brignone had also ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament according to Lena Smirnova of the International Olympic Committee.
Brignone’s crash in Italy came 10 months prior to Lindsey Vonn’s spectacular crash in Italy in the women’s downhill to begin the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Brignone’s Olympic results
Brignone’s super giant slalom win on Thursday came with a time of 1:23.41. She beat her nearest opponent, silver medalist Romane Miradoli of France by 0.41 seconds.
Then on Saturday in the giant slalom, Brignone beat silver medalists Sara Hector of Sweden and Thea Louise Stjernesund of Norway, by 0.62 seconds. Brignone’s winning time was 2:13.50.
Great Olympics for Italy
You must be registered for see images attach
Feb 12, 2026; Milan, Italy; Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy reacts in the women’s speedskating 5000m competition during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The host nation now has eight gold medals. There is another Italian woman with two individual gold medals. That is Francesca Lollobrigida, who won gold in the women’s 3000 metres and women’s 5000 metres.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
OLYMPICS: 2026 Winter Olympics medal count, standings entering February 15
DAYTONA 500: 2026 Daytona 500 starting lineup & TV schedule
NFL: Tennessee Titans’ new logo leaked in Fanatics mishap?
NBA: Mac McClung shares 2026 NBA Slam Dunk arsenal fans were robbed of
GOLF: 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am tee times, Round 4 groupings for Sunday
VIRAL: 2026 Winter Olympics star compares muscles with NFL running back Saquon Barkley
The post Federica Brignone comes back from torn ACL to win two Olympic gold medals appeared first on The Big Lead.
Continue reading...
